Exploring Hydropower

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

 Gravitational Energy

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Harnessing Water Power

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

World’s First
Hydropower Plant

The dam across Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin, the site of the
first hydroelectric power plant in the world (1882).

CREDIT: “Dam across river, Appleton, Wis.,” 1880-1889. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC-D4-4783 DLC.
Top Hydropower Producing States, 2016
State Th MWh *Idaho is not in the top 5, but
Washington 78,346 hydropower as a percentage
Oregon 34,549 of total electrical power
generation ranks at #2 (59%)
California 28,942
after Washington.
New York 26,888
Montana 10,083

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Hydroelectric Generation by Country
Billion kilowatt-hours
China

Canada

Brazil 2015 2014 2013

United States 2012 2011 2010

Russia

Norway

India

Venezuela

Japan

Sweden

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Data: EIA

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project
 Solar Geothermal
Biomass
U.S. Electricity Wind
1.5%
0.9% 0.4%

Production, 2016 Hydropower

5.6%
Petroleum 0.6% 6.4%

Natural Gas
34.0%
Uranium
19.9%

Coal
30.6%

*Total does not equal 100% due to independent rounding. Data: Energy Information Administration
Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project
 DAM

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Turbine Generator

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project
Advantages
• Renewable Energy
• Clean Energy Source
• Domestic Energy Source
• Generally Available As Needed
• Provides Recreational
Opportunities
• Water Supply and Flood Control

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Power Plant Efficiency

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Coal vs. Hydro Kinetic Energy Conversion
35% 95%

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Possible Environmental
Impacts

Fish Population

Quality and Flow of

Water

Ecosystems of
Rivers and Streams

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

Other Disadvantages

Impact on Local
Drought Environment
and Land Use

Preservation
Concerns

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

For More Information

• The NEED Project

www.need.org
info@need.org
1-800-875-5029
• Energy Information Administration
U.S. Department of Energy
www.eia.gov

Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project

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Hydropower - 2018 ©The NEED Project